Finishing Strong

A 1995 publication by Steve Farrar (Multnomah Press, ISBN 0-88070-740-2) bears the title, "Finishing Strong." In addition to finding the title alone compelling enough to purchase the book many years ago, I am very much drawn to the sub-title, as well, "Finding the Power to Go the Distance." [It is easy for me to recommend from among his nearly twenty books, four other works by Dr. Farrer, "Point Man: How A Man Can Lead His Family;" "Standing Tall: How A Man Can Protect His Family;" "Anchor Man: How A Father Can Anchor His Family In Christ for the Next 100 Years," and "King Me: What Every Son Wants and Needs From His Father ."]

Steve is the founder and president of Men's Leadership Ministries (Dallas, TX) and a frequent speaker at local churches, conferences and international events relating to men's issues and ministries.

The premise of "Finishing Strong" is that it is never too late for a Christian man to assume his rightful position of leadership whenever and wherever our Lord provides opportunity. As you might imagine, "family" is the principal arena spoken of in his books listed above. The author suggests that even if a fellow has stumbled, or fallen, even repeatedly, what matters most in his all-important race called "life" is "how you finish." Steve's assertion is that by looking around one discovers that few men, even Christian men are finishing well.

Nope, this is not an advertisement for Brother Farrer - not exactly.

As you, the reader of this Blog must know, our StillWaters community is in the final stages of its corporate life. The remaining two Sunday morning worship services are scheduled for 27 January and 3 February 2008. These will conclude our two-and-a-half year exercise in weekly worship together, and four-year exploit at church planting. There are mixed emotions, surely, however no mixed beliefs. Having sought and received the thoughtful and prayerful wisdom of the brethren over us who are tasked with counsel and accountability, we are convinced that the season for StillWaters is rightly concluding. The large majority will hold this opinion, anyway.

Much valuable ministry in the Name of Christ has been effected; many folks have been blessed; more have been discipled; some have gotten saved; lots have been served; a few have known genuine community like never before; and the community beyond our congregation has been the beneficiary of numerous contacts and gifts over the years. All of these will continue to be precious memories in the months and years ahead.

Nevertheless, the faithful members of the Core Group at StillWaters find themselves embarking on a journey of discovery - a season of transition. Perhaps, better said, transitions.

Questions come to mind:

How will we each engage the days ahead?
What will be our individual and collective story to be told of the adventure now ending?
When will the next chapter in the lives of our people and families become the "new normal?"
Where will the folks who called StillWaters home become vitally involved in other fellowships?
Who will strive to overcome current disappointments and give whole-heartedly among others?

We shall see.

Another very important question is more timely, in my opinion: "How shall we finish strong(ly) now?" The current chapter is still being written so its conclusion is yet unknown. My prayer is that everyone at StillWaters will submit to the counsel of our Elders, receive their counsel and determinations as coming from our Father in Heaven, and move eagerly into the new challenges to become full participants in other church bodies. If any have cherished the value of "knowing and being known, loving and being loved, and serving and being served," then I am confident that numerous new people and fellowships will be blessed by their presence. I pray this.

Dr. Farrer states that studies among large numbers of men in America (touching on family, integrity, faith, practice, stewardship) suggest that about one man in ten is truly finishing strong in our culture these days, and in recent years. I hope ALL the people of StillWaters will bravely and selflessly engage the future our Lord has for them with a strong determination to finish well here and now, and to begin well elsewhere. A mere ten percent would break my heart - and surprise me no end. I have high expectations for the dear people of StillWaters, Salisbury North Carolina. That is because I know them. I trust that I know them well enough to warrant being so shamelessly confident in their Christ-likeness in the coming days.

The finish line is near, dear ones. Our precious StillWaters will soon be footnoted in the annuls of Rowan County and in the chronicles of our Christ's Church, A.D. 2005 - 2008. Each of us will contribute to the epitaph to be written. Make your part memorable for all the right reasons.

Thank you. Thank you, more than you know. Thank you dear people of StillWaters for the privilege of learning alongside you, of knowing, of being known, of loving, of being loved, of serving, of being served, of worshiping and praising our Lord together, of laughing out loud, of crying out loud, of being speechless at times, of being allowed to speak numerous times, of being accepted along with my family, of praying and of being prayed-for, of being forgiven, and of being reminded that "God's Sovereignty is not in Jeopardy due to my Difficulty."

Let's talk face-to-face in the near future, shall we? I want for us to agree on the heritage that Christ has crafted in us and from us during our journey together. Perhaps, we can incarnate the beauty of Brother Farrer's sub-title as we stimulate one another to love and good deeds, because we are "finding the power to go the distance." StillWaters is now a sprint; our lives of faith will be a marathon. Let's finish strong!

Praying all God's very best for each one of the StillWaters family, always
Cameron